This Blog May Soon Be Illegal
Comments: 8 - Date: January 17th, 2007 - Categories: US Politics, Politics, Nanny State
I might have to install a virtual velvet rope at the entrance to my blog. I discovered today that the first bill introduced to the Senate this year (the one that is officially supposed to “provide greater transparency in the legislative process”) has a well-hidden side effect: Bloggers with a readership of over 500 people must register with and report quarterly to Congress, or else. Or else what, you ask? That’s what amendment 7 (passed on January 7) of the bill clarifies: it creates criminal penalties, including up to a year in prison, if someone “knowingly and willingly fails to file or report.”
So there you have it. If this bill passes, citizens will have to register and report to the Congress if they want to publicly discuss policy. Don’t believe me? Look it up for yourself.
You can find the contact information for your Senator here. If you like reading or writing political blogs, I suggest you contact your representative and explain to them what the First Amendment is all about.
Comment by Josh - January 17, 2007 @ 8:55 pm
So, how can they tell if you have more than 500 readers? Are they going to write a law that gives them access to your log files? This is one of those things that never gets enforced until some poor blogger upsets a politician.
Comment by Josh - January 17, 2007 @ 9:00 pm
I have an idea: Delete this Wordpress install and put up a Web forum where you’re the only member. Then it isn’t a “blog.”
Zing!
Comment by Josh - January 17, 2007 @ 9:11 pm
Hey, how do you find that bill on the Thomas site?
Comment by Dad - January 17, 2007 @ 9:59 pm
If I remember right this bill will also do away with talk radio (conservative) because the Libs won’t be able to get equal time since nobody has so far supported a liberal talk radio show.
Gotta keep the masses under control somehow. Educated constituent = fear in congress.
Comment by Josh - January 17, 2007 @ 10:44 pm
Talk radio — educated — what?
Comment by William - January 18, 2007 @ 8:22 am
To find the bill, search for the phrase “provide greater transparency” on the Library of Congress site. Section 220 is the part that concerns me. The only clarification of the term “paid” it provides is that you reach at least 500 members of the public. The problem is that definition is way too broad. If I have ad banners on my site, am I paid? What if my blog is picked up by some publication? “Paid” is much, much too vague.
Furthermore, it really troubles me that this section of the bill specifically targets “grassroots” movements. As citizens, we should be able to organize and communicate however we want to, without having to register with the government. “Greater transparency in the legislative process” is right - with rules like this, the only things happening will be the ones Congress approves of (which are much easier to keep track of in the spirit of “transparency”).
Comment by Posix - December 5, 2007 @ 12:54 pm
hi good guuest
Comment by Western Express - December 6, 2007 @ 2:03 pm
hi! it is me
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